The New Year

2023 has left us. The weather was challenging for the last couple of weeks in December. We had wind and rain, which made it difficult to get those last few fishing trips in before the seasons closed. The fishing hung on until the end, especially the blackfish and sea bass, even though the boats had to travel farther to find the fish.

The blackfish season closed on December 22, and the sea bass and porgy season closed on December 31.

Time will tell if the codfish will cooperate over the winter. There were some codfish caught during the waning days of December. There are rumors that there will be some changes in the fish regulations for 2024, so we will have to wait and see what comes down the pike.

With the winter solstice on December 21, we are already gaining precious minutes of daylight each day. We had the cold full moon on December 26. The air temperatures were above 40 degrees for the best part of the ending weeks of December.

We had plenty of rain and wind. The south-facing beaches have been battered by high tides and high winds. The Farmers’ Almanac predictions for January are temps to be 1 degree below average and precipitation to be 3 inches above average. No snow as of yet, and we only have 60 days until March.

The scallopers are still grinding out some scallops when they can get on the bay. It has lasted longer than expected already. If you are still looking to have a scallop dinner, I suggest you call the fish market to see if they are available. The tides have been running higher than normal because of the east wind, and this has hindered clamming.

Birdwatchers have been able to observe plenty of waterfowl, and eagles are almost a daily occurrence in the skies.

For the fishermen looking for something to do in January, January 14 is Striper Day at Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, Setauket/East Setauket. January 21 is the Fisherman’s Flea Market at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 22 Grove Place, Babylon. You can get the tackle you need for the upcoming season.

I would like to wish all my readers a very Happy New Year and great fishing for 2024!